The bill amends RCW 67.28.1816 to expand the permissible uses of lodging tax revenues by municipalities. It allows these revenues to support the operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations that qualify under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, the bill clarifies the requirements for applicants seeking to use these revenues, including the need to provide estimates of how the funds will increase tourism and the necessity for municipalities with populations of 5,000 or more to involve a local lodging tax advisory committee in the selection process for funding recipients.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that all recipients of lodging tax revenues submit reports detailing the actual number of tourists attracted by their activities, which must be made available to the public and local legislative bodies. It also requires the joint legislative audit and review committee to report biennially to the legislature on the use of these revenues. Notably, the bill updates the population threshold for counties exempt from these provisions from 1.5 million to 1,500,000.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 67.28.1816